Apart from these ones, there are other similar formats to gather content, such
as ATOM (by Google)

WHAT IS RSS FOR?

RSS makes easier to access Web information that is updated frequently, so
that the user can get in a fast and up-to-date way recent news about
information they are interested in.

Any user can subscribe to a “feed”, and receive the last news sent to their
adder or RSS reader, which will alert them when they have new information to
read. This allows them to get the data they need fast and accurately, since
they don’t have to check out the different sites that offer information they
are interested in, when they do not even know if there are any changes in them.
Using feeds and adders, we can choose if we want to visit the site where the
information is created, for further information.

But RSS is not only to receive information others send, but it is also useful to
show your own site’s updates to other Internet surfers. You need to create your
own feed and update it frequently with news about the subject you choose. This
way you will create interesting contents for other users who will receive
information you offer through an adder or RSS reader.

This way, gathering process becomes a two-way circuit where everybody can access
and create information easier and faster.